George Booth (pirate)

Infobox Pirate
name=George Booth
lived=c. Unknown-1700


caption=
nickname=
type= Pirate
placeofbirth= England
placeofdeath= Zanzibar
allegiance=
serviceyears= 1696-1700
base of operations= Indian Ocean, Red Sea
rank=
commands= "Speaker"
battles=
wealth=
laterwork=

George Booth (c. 16??-1700) was an English pirate who was one of the earliest active in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea during the late 17th century. Among his fleet included prominent captains such as Nathaniel North, Thomas Howard and Booth's eventual successor, John Bowen .

Although his early life is largely unknown, he is first recorded in his career as a gunner aboard the "Pelican" around 1696, and later the "Dolphin", both of which operated in the Indian Ocean.

While Booth was still a gunner aboard the "Dolphin", she was trapped at Sainte-Marie Island by a British fleet in September 1699. The crew of the "Dolphin" were offered a pardon by the British commodore. Although some of the pirates surrendered, Booth was among those who escaped to nearby Madagascar after burning the Dolphin. Booth would later participate in the capture of a French merchant ship on the pretence of buying supplies carrying liquor and other goods in exchange for slaves and, elected by the crew as captain, they continued onward to Madagascar.

Booth later encountered fellow British pirate John Bowen and, choosing to join forces, they later captured the "Speaker", a 450 ton slaver carrying 50 guns, near Majunga in April, 1699. As captain of the newly captured prize, Booth eventually sailed towards Zanzibar and arrived towards the end of 1700. While going ashore for provisions, Booth and Bowen were attacked by Arab troops and Booth was killed in the fighting. After the death of Booth, Bowen was voted by the crew to replace Booth as captain of the small fleet.

References

* Ellms, Charles. The Pirates Own Book: Authentic Narratives of the Most Celebrated Sea Robbers. Dover Publications 1993 ISBN 0-486-27607-4
* Seitz, Don Carlos, Howard F. Gospel and Stephen Wood. Under the Black Flag: Exploits of the Most Notorious Pirates. Mineola, New York: Courier Dover Publications, 2002. ISBN 0-486-42131-7

External links

* [http://www.thepirateking.com/bios/booth_george.htm The Pirate Cove! - George Booth]
* [http://perso.orange.fr/henri.maurel/seafaring%201.htm Brief biography of George Booth] by Julien Durup
* [http://www.vleonica.com/booth.htm Account of George Booth's life] by V'léOnica Roberts